Frost dates for 64491Tarkio, MO
The average last spring frost in Tarkio is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 25 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tarkio
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 64491 is matched to the NOAA station Tarkio, MO, 1.2 km away, at 1,045 ft elevation (100 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarkio, MO (used) | 1,045 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 15 |
| Auburn 5 Ese, NE | 930 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 10 |
| Shenandoah, IA | 999 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 17 |
| Sidney 1Sse, IA | 1,140 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Tarkio
- Westboro, MO 64498 · last Apr 20, first Oct 17
- Fairfax, MO 64446 · last Apr 19, first Oct 15
- Rock Port, MO 64482 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Northboro, IA 51647 · last Apr 20, first Oct 17
- Watson, MO 64496 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Elmo, MO 64445 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Blanchard, IA 51630 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Burlington Junction, MO 64428 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tarkio, MO?
- For ZIP code 64491, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tarkio, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Tarkio, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 64491?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.